WebsterMark wrote on 10/16/19 at 10:15:27:


This is an example of claiming false authority by projecting your own misunderstanding onto “everyone”.  You are correct though- there is no ambiguity as to your mistake.

A police chief may be the head of his police force and has the authority to fire any officer at any time for any reason. That doesn't mean an office is under legal obligation to follow orders they deem illegal. But that fact does not change the fact that the chief is head of the department.

Facts are not established through rationalizations.   Still, there is some utility to be had here- as the parallel works, if not bent to serve a narrative: the head of the police department is the chief- not the mayor.   Ask any police officer who heads their precinct- none will respond “the Mayor”.  Yes, a mayor can fire a police chief.   Yes, a mayor can direct a chief to do any number of illegal things.

I reckon your confusion arises from the President’s role as ultimate civilian control over the military.   Regardless, these are not semantic destinations, but codified legal relationships- unchanged by the number of times you repeat a mistake and label it a fact.

Eegore wrote on 10/16/19 at 13:00:53:

Because,... in a Fascist state, he is...

Eegore wrote on 10/16/19 at 13:00:53:


"The Power of the Executive Branch is vested in the President of the United States."   As such, all offices under the President are subordinate.

In my company, we have VP's of various departments who have wide latitude in operating their departments. The CEO may or may not choose to inject himself into the actions of those departments. Whether he does or not is immaterial, there is no ambiguity, he is the Head of Sales, the Head of Production, the Head of Marketing, etc.....  

The President of the United States is the Head of the Executive Branch and the entities that fall under his authority. The Legislative Branch and any separate entity falling directly under it, are not under his control and he has no authority over them. The Judicial Branch and any entity falling directly under it, are not under his control and he has no authority over them. But the Justice Department is directly under the Executive Branch and as such, is ultimately headed up by the President.

You guy's problem is you're mixing your partisan political wishes with the structure of government. If someone can fire you, you are their subordinate.

"You guy's problem is you're mixing your partisan political wishes with the structure of government. If someone can fire you, you are their subordinate."

 I don't have any partisan political wishes.  I have worked for the DoJ, I have looked up the structure posted publicly regarding this topic.

 The results, to me, indicate that if a legal document required the signature of the "Head" of the DoJ that the signature would be that of the Attorney General and not the POTUS.

 

Eegore wrote on 10/16/19 at 13:49:04:


Oh come on Eegore.......  you know this. The President is Head of the Justice Department. If I need a document signed by the head of sales, I go to the VP of Sales. But he is not really the head of sales now is he?.... The CEO is. The CEO voluntarily cedes his authority over sales to the VP for as long as it pleases him to do so. At anytime, he can recall that authority in part (as in directing a specific sales campaign be undertaken) or in full (by firing him.)  Any person or entity the Attorney General has authority over, the President has a higher authority over.
You cannot dispute that.

I can fire people but that does not make me the "head" of each department.

Actually it does. If you have that authority, you can intercede and direct activities in whatever direction you choose. That makes you the defacto head of that department. Are you the day to day head/leader? No, perhaps not. My CEO is not my day to day head/leader in sales, the VP of sales is. But make no mistake, my CEO is the real head/leader.

Call this semantics if you want, but there are real and legal practical ramifications from the FACT that the President is the Head of the Justice Department.

Not sure about the AG in particular,.. but most appointments take an oath to the Constitution and the American people, not to the President.